........
a local resident hosted a lawn party and bazaar and raised a
net profit of more than $1,400 for the organization.
As
a result of the event, responsibility took root and volunteers
organized an auxiliary to the Essex County Red Cross Chapter
with jurisdiction of Montclair, Bloomfield and Glen Ridge.
Although
there was little public attention to their efforts, the volunteers
of the auxiliary chapter were conscientious in sending supplies
overseas during the early days of World War I. At weekly meetings,
volunteers made shirts, pajamas, socks and scarves for the war
effort.
In
1916, Red Cross Headquarters in Washington, D.C. decided to terminate
the Essex County Chapter and A.R. Pierson, who was chairperson
at the time, applied for a Chapter Charter and the Glen Ridge
Chapter of the American Red Cross was approved and signed on
July 18, 1916. This piqued interest in the Glen Ridge community
and by November, the Chapter boasted 286 volunteers versus the
147 in the auxiliary chapter four months prior.
The
Montclair community was inspired by the efforts of its neighboring
Glen Ridge Red Cross and responded to an appeal made by President
Woodrow Wilson for support of the Red Cross during World War
I. Donations of money and materials were overwhelming, as was
volunteer support for whatever needs should arise related to
the war.
In
February of 1917, a meeting was organized at the Unity Church,
now the Unitarian Church on Church Street. An invitation went
out to the community to “bring with you others who will
join in the good work.” Community response was so overwhelming
that by the spring, the Montclair Red Cross searched for permanent
space. The Montclair Red Cross Chapter headquarters opened in
the old Madison building on Bloomfield Avenue.
In
the same year, the Nutley Red Cross Chapter was incorporated
on April 30, 1917 within days after the United Stated entered
World War I. People were eager to participate in meaningful activities
to help the war effort and worked from their homes turning out
surgical dressings and garments for hospital patients and war
refugees, and knitted items for the troops.
At
the time there was no building for the Chapter and meetings were
held in residents’ homes and files were kept at the Woman’s
Club on Chestnut Street.
By 1942 participants decided a headquarters should be established,
and rented a building at 393 Franklin Avenue.
By
1961, members of the Executive Board purchased a lot at 169 Chestnut
Street and when sufficient funds were available to build, ground
was broken for what stands today as the Nutley site.
Today,
the strength of the Montclair-Glen Ridge-Nutley Chapter of the
American Red Cross in the joint dedication of its staff of six,
and volunteer base of more than 300, will continue to serve its
communities as one.
